Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Ran Morrissett on May 08, 2003, 06:13:09 PM
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Lads,
In the same spirit as the trip to Cape Breton Highland last June, this year's GolfClubAtlas.com gathering will be held in the Land of Enchantment. The general particulars are as follows:
Date: Weekend of September 20th & 21st
Place: New Mexico
Saturday, Sept. 20th -- Black Mesa Golf Club, Designed by Baxter Spann. Located on the historical Santa Clara Pueblo 20 miles from Santa Fe and 80 miles from Albuquerque, the course (apparently based on what I've seen in pics) plays through dramatic sandstone ridges with Black Mesa visible from several locations. The scale of the place is huge and there will never be housing etc. to take away from the beauty of the surrounds. Mike Nuzzo is going to post some pics soon so you be the judge.
Round 1 - Black Mesa Golf Club
Lunch with Baxter Spann
Roundtable presentation followed by Q&A
Round 2 - Black Mesa Golf Club (with a different wind)
Followed by evening events in Santa Fe.
Sunday, Sept. 21st -- Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Club, Designed by Ken Dye. Located in Sandia Park, New Mexico (20 minutes from Albuquerque), this course (45 miles from Santa Fe and 25 miles from Albuquerque) currently ranks #23 on Golfweek's list of the Best Modern Courses in the country. The course is situated on the east side of the Sandia Mountains and surrounded by mountainous terrain and vegetation of the New Mexico high desert. The layout features landing areas and greens separated by arroyos, native vegetation and rock outcroppings. Again, the pics I've seen remind me of nothing else.
In the afternoon, some may head out for PM flights but I hope others can join me for the 3 1/2 hour drive to Farmington. I hope that we can get there with enough daylight to play the back nine at Riverview, a very neat sounding 9 holes according to the legendary Adam Clayman.
Monday, Sept 22nd - Pinion Hills, designed by Ken Dye. If there is time, I hope we can play 36 holes here but I for one definitely need to be back in Albuquerque for a late evening flight.
Pricing: Golf in New Mexico is a great, great bargain, and this site is going to do what it can to promote that very important fact. We are looking at an approx. price of $50 or less per round. There are plenty of affordable hotel options of $100 and less a night as well. Flights into Albuquerque are relatively cheap.
Mike Nuzzo will be posting additional details of the trip as things firm up. Please instant message Mike (I'm traveling much of the next two weeks) with any suggestions.
Cheers and I hope to see you there.
Ran
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I think I hear a symphony of calenders rustling.
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How exciting.
I really hope a lot of you lads have a chance to experience NM. You're in for a real treat. I'll do my best to take care of y'all. The sooner I can get an approximate head count, the sooner I'll be able to get exact numbers for expenses and lodging options. As much of a bargain NM is, we might be able to do a little better with a mad pack of gents without hats on backwards.
Black Mesa http://www.blackmesagolfclub.com is having it's grand opening this weekend. You'll be hearing from Baxter shortly, and hopefully from the gang at the course.
Paa-Ko http://www.paakoridge.com is a very fine course indeed.
Pinion Hills http://www.farmington.nm.us/depts/parks/golf/phills.html is somewhere I haven't seen since Scott's Aerial of the Day and I am very much looking forward to visiting the Clayman's home course.
Please shoot me a message if you're interested.
Here's a favorite hole of one of the treehouse gang...
(http://www.foregolf.net/images/bm/600x400_16th.jpg)
The 16th at Black Mesa Golf Club
I'll be posting much more in the days to come.
Cheers
P.S. after meeting a good deal of the both the West and East coasters, I know it could make for an EPIC battle.
Might even be room for the central coast in a 3 team format.
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Mike,
I'm in. BTW, what's the approximate drive time to Albequerqe from Denver? Thanks.
Brad Swanson
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tentatively in. Damn this couldn't come at a worse time work-wise... but priorities are priorities. ;)
TH
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:) Hey Mike,
Count me and probably Ms Sheila in.. I understand that flights from Houston are pretty reasonable these days to NM..
;D, I assume you and Baxter will be writing this off as a business expense?
When are we going to catch that afternoon round at the TPC or the WCC Player course? Its starting to get hot.. Seems like a North, South, East, West Coast versus the heartland competition could ensue.
Regards,
Steve
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Question for anyone who's played Black Mesa:
Does it present the same vertigo inducing challenge for those with a fear of heights that Wolf Creek in NV does?
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In, I can miss the Western Illinois game. However I will be in Tuscon the week before. That is alot of desert time of a green man like me.
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To answer a few preliminary questions....
I fly into ABQ as that's where Southwest flies.
It's a toss up between Santa Fe and ABQ depending on your local carrier.
Steve - the flights have been very reasonable from Houston
George - There are a 2 Black tees perched up there pretty good. I've never been to Wolf Creek.
John - I think you might like NM a little more than Tuscon.
To equally distribute the images...
(http://www.foregolf.net/images/pr/Paa-Ko_17s.jpg)
Paa-Ko Ridge's 17th. There is an alternate tee perched pretty high up on a bluff.
Photo courtesy of Robert Reck Photography
Cheers
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Glad to see Mike has helped put this together. He talked about Black Mesa the year before when we got together at Barona. I'm going to try and make it, so make me a probable. Anyone interested in a longer trip, if I do this outing I would like to go see Apache Stronghold and Talking Stick while I'm in that neck of the "woods".
Having the opportunity to meet our benefactor Ran makes this trip a priority.
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Most probably in... I may even drive out to Nebraska, stop and play a few days, and drive on to NM, and stop on the way back for another couple of rounds. It sounds like the best possible chance to visit Adam at Pinion Hills. I spent one of the greatest summers of my life as a youngster in NM, and didn't even play golf. I will be adding an extra day or two in Taos, which is a unique area to experience.
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Having the opportunity to meet our benefactor Ran makes this trip a priority.
Ah yes, so true, so true... our host does remain a shadowy mysterious mythical "presence" for many of us still... I'm just worried that if he and I are in the same place, a cosmic matter-antimatter implosion might occur... ;)
TH
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Tom,
I would think that you would be more concerned about the possibility of spontaneous human combustion.
Regards,
Mike
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That too is a worry, Mike. Hmmm... the aura of danger just adds to the allure of this trip, doesn't it? ;)
TH
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Unfortunately, that Monday is the first day of b-school. :-[
Sorry guys.
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So come for Sat-Sun, Dan!
Dammit, Team West Coast NEEDS YOU....
TH
ps - I understand life realities. I'm still gonna have to beg to make this happen and work issues could screw it up also. Just giving you crap.
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Ran/Mike,
Excellent! About time the "flyover" Mountain Time Zone got some attention! ;D
Brad, We're 390 miles from Santa Fe straight down I-25, So that's about a 4 hour drive for us, right? 8)
Look forward to seeing you all there. If you haven't been to New Mexico, it's truly a beautiful state. And the golf ain't bad either... ;)
All The Best,
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Now time will pass much slower awaiting the mid-sept. reality. ;D
Not too much to warn everyone about except that I encourage everyone to bring their umbrellas. Almost kidding but I figure if noone brings'em they'll need'em and viecy veicy. The truth is that if this part of the country has a chance for precipitation it will start then. BUt by no means should anyone be discouraged the chalk is still with beautiful weather. Trust me if you're here and it's raining you'll be hearlded as demi-gods for bringing such honor onto the land.
Looking forward with GREAT anticipation to meeting new friends and seeing some of the few I've been fortunate to have already met.
Via con Dios
p.s. There are many reasonably priced accomidations in Farmington with The courtyard by Marriott being top shelf. If anyone needs any further assistance please feel free to ask.
Oh yeah, My house is only 1680 sq.ft so that means only 85 or so will fit sleeping comfortably on my flo. :o
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Doug,
Four hours, stops included oughtta do it. ;) I'm really looking forward to this, like Adam said, to see GCA buddies old and new.
Tom,
The team competition sounds interesting. I like team Colorado's chances already, right Doug. ;)
Brad Swanson
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I think Clayman said it wasn't going to rain?
Here are some stats, we picked Sept to keep out of the rainy season (July-Aug). Either way, there's not a lot of water.
Santa Fe....
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
inches 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.6 1.9 2.1 0.9 0.7 0.3 0.4 9.5
As for competition... the goal is East vs. West, but with 10 states already represented, there will be some state bragging rights up for grabs also.
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I'm there, this is my year on tour! 8) Mike, you're going to post some details re hotels? I'm assuming fly into ABQ, drive to Santa Fe, spend the night, play Black Mesa, drive into ABQ, spend two nights. Does it get any better?
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Rustle back those calendars and hold those horses!
There is a conflict with the dates stated above.
New dates will be provided asap.
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I'm in.
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Slight chance of making it. Is there an cutoff date? I'll check finances after I get back from northern Scotland in mid July.
If I can jettison my time share...and cheaply replace my stolen clubs its looks like a great trip.
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would love to be included- have not posted much- mostly a passive observer to the site-
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Seeing Don Mahaffey's reply makes me think that perhaps this ought to be an extended nomad like trip and after leaving NM, head east to Texas and catch the Red Raiders course and Don's new spread, then head up 83 to Gothenburg. All this may take a while, and not put me in good stead at home. She may just say, keep moving on... ::)
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To the Treehouse;
While I try to make as many GCA events as possible, unfortunately, this is one I will have to miss.
Our Club, Charles River, is hosting the USGA Men's State Team Championship. Registration begins on Sept. 13 and as General Chairman of the event I have to be on premises.
Sounds like an outstanding trip and a lot of fun. Sorry to miss it.
Best,
Dave
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As Adam alluded to above, due to an insurmountable date conflict, the new dates are September 20st-22nd. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and my initial post has been modified to show the correct dates.
Now perhaps Dave Miller can join the East Team as we prepare to put the lowly, insolent West Team in their place ;D
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Doh! I was afraid of this! However, my better half said it would be OK if I skipped her friends wedding to attend the outing if it was moved to these dates. Looks like I'll just spend a little more of that spousal capital, especially after that last bit of taunting from the leader of the least, oops I meant East, squad! :P ;)
Again, I'm really looking forward to this.
Brad Swanson
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Ran, can we Southerners assume that lowlifes from the Gulf Coast (FL, LA) will be included with the East squad? Or do we need to interject a third party aspect? This will be a great event and I look forward to a look at NM golf.
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Brad, you are the the new action hero figure by Mattel, da golfinman! ;D
Now, we have to get "shooter" Will Ellender out there, and I'd buy a ticket to watch you two in match play! 8)
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Dick- Is that Da Golfinman doll that transforms itself on a cellular molecular level?
When placed in water Da Golfinman turns into a dullard without the imagination to cut a 3/4 seven iron from 105.yds
This is gonna be big fun.
Also Dick, I'll meet up in Lubbock prior to the 21st?
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Adam,
I recall playing a round with you in the group in front of us last year that required a full 7 iron from 105. I think you'll remember that round well. ;)
Cheers,
Brad
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RJ,
If something gets set up for the Red Raider course please let me know, I would love to see it. And Don's course would be a good stop on the way up to Apache Stronghold I think.
I'm going to have to start working the 20th anniversary gift angle to see this many courses on one trip.
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Final Event Dates:
Friday, September 19th ... TBD
Saturday, Sept. 20th - Black Mesa (twice)
Sunday, Sept. 21st - Paa-Ko Ridge +
Monday, Sept. 22nd - Pinon Hills
The battle lines are being drawn...
The following is a list of attendents. Please confirm you are going to be joining us with the new "FINAL" date (Thanks for your patience). If you don't see your name and should or want to... what are you waiting for (send me a message)? If you can also let me know which days you will be participating, it would be very helpful. There will be plans for Friday that will materialize in the near future, and lots of extras to be announced (keep your suggestions coming).
Ran Morrisset - Southern Pines, NC
Mike Nuzzo - Memorial, Houston, TX
Baxter Spann - Woodlands, Houston, TX
Craig Edgmand - OK
Michael Whitaker - SC
Steve Lang - Woodlands, Houston, TX
John Bernhardt - Oakbourne, LA (Sunday-Monday)
John Vander Borght - Oakmont, PA
Richard Daley - Wild Horse, Green Bay, WS
Bill McBride - Pensacola, FL
George Pazin - Pittsburgh, PA
David Silk -
Brad Swanson - Denver, CO
Doug Wright - Denver, CO
Mike Nordstrom - Pinon Hills, Farmington, NM
Adam Clayman - Pinon Hills, Farmington, NM
Tom Huckaby - Norcal
Ed Getka - Socal
Don Mahaffey - Canyon, TX
David Moriarty - Socal
as of 5/17/03
we also have several strong tenatives that will be listed after they clear their calendars
(http://www.fingerdyespann.com/courses_images/pinon.jpg)
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These dates work even better for me... oh yeah, I'm gonna be there unless some horrid conflict comes up in the interim... thanks for doing this, Mike!
Tom H.
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Lowly, insolent west coast guys are taking up arms/clubs to teach our benevolent dictator a lesson. 8) I thought people from the south were supposed to be well-mannered. ;)
This should be a lot of fun, I'm in.
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Anyone know how far it is to Don's course from this gathering?
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I'm touched that many of you have may tie in a visit to my course while in NM. My course is a four hour car ride from Albuquerque, due east on I-40. From my course it's an hour and a half to Tx Tech. I believe the course there will be opening about that time (it is a must see). My course is nothing exciting, but it's fun and I'd love to host anyone who cares to make the trip. Now, being in Tx, I'm a west coaster, correct? Looking forward to seeing everyone in Sep.
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I know Pinon is a great course...because thats what I have been told....but....That pic of Mikes above looks all out of balance with nature...what am I missing..
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Adam has been saying to anyone that would read and listen, that they overwater the course and if they let it dry out and take on the native hues a little, it would play firm and give more appeal to the ground game and all. No doubt the pic was taken when the marketing department thought it was at its lush and green best. The Black Mesa pic is the one that looks out of place to me, in terms of turf amongst the rocks. It looks like the second coming of Wolf Creek in Mesquite.
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I am on the wrong end with the new dates. I will be there bright and early sunday morning for Sunday and Monday golf.
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To: Golf's Most Beloved and the Treehouse.
Unfortunately, for me, the USGA State Team Championship ends on the 18th with wrap-up meetings on the 19th and I'm aready committed to the Fall Frolic at Oyster Harbors on Cape Cod on Sept. 22 and 23. Travel times from Boston to New Mexico and back preclude my attending. The Boston Contingent of GCA and (Non-Resident section of the Philly Mafia) will not be represented.
However where is the representation to the East team from the Philly mafia. Mike Cirba where are You ;D.
Fairways and Greens,
Dave
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I can't make the dates mentioned, but salute Ran's desire and those who are going to play to sample a few of the very finest public layouts in the Land of Enchantment.
New Mexico public golf -- particularly at the very top, is quite better than most other states in this particular category. Since there seems to be an opening on the schedule's first day beyond the times set aside for Black Mesa, Pinon Hills and Paa-Ko Ridge I would recommend playing either of three other choices -- all are within the immediate Albuquerque area ...
1). Twin Warrior (will host the National Club Pro this year and is a well done Gary Panks design). About 20-30 minutes northwest of town. Not cheap but worth the time even with the obligatory waterfall on the first par-3 you play!
2). University of New Mexico / Championship. This Red Lawrence design is a honey -- although I wish they wold turn down the amount of H20 they litter the fairways. Right next to the airport.
3). The sleeper is Santa Ana (Tamaya & Cheenya nines).
The course is right next door to Twin Warrior and may permit a 36-hole day for those able to handle the demands. Course is well crafted and is often overlooked by a good many people.
P.S. I hope that those who play Pinon Hills understand that the original nines have been flipped and are not in the proper sequence as originally envisioned by Ken Dye.
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As Director of Golf at Paa-Ko Ridge, I would like to extend a warm welcome to those of you coming to NM in September. I think you'll be pleased with the quality of the golf and the beauty of the land. I visit the GCA site occasionally and enjoy the comments and opinions. We look forward to taking good care of your group. You might be interested in going to our website, www.paakoridge.com, for pictures of each hole. Bring your "A" game.
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Just had a positive business development & am hoping to make it if things aren't full.
Would love to drive over to Don's place & Texas Tech with anyone who's game.
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I just received an email from Paul Hermsmyer who is having trouble posting on GCA.com He want's Mike Ran, and anyone who's counting heads to count him in.
Now, it looks like I need a flight to somewhere (green bay, N. Platte?) and would love to make the drive with fellow junkies.
JakaB- The picture of Pinon Hills posted by Mike Nuzzo is of the current 1st green (foreground) and the 14th green (background) I'd have to say that my reaction to seeing it was that the mounding from this angle is not indicative of the view while golfing. If you look in the way background to the left you can see the current 2nd hole and how it's use of the natural slope is captured. As for the the 14th hole, I find it to be one of those hole that on paper looks like a cakewalk. In reality the hole ( as well as the preceeding one) are wonderful risk reward holes and add variety to the layout. Day in day out it is one of those holes that "gets you". I don't know if it's because of the apparent easy (shortish) nature or the accuracy needed to get close to the pin. Easy hole=easy birdie, easy triple, a real feast or famine type hole. Originally played as the 5th hole and is somewhat responsible (in a contrarian way) for setting up the drama on the original closing holes.
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Adam,
Why did they switch the nines at Pinon?
All the Best,
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Doug- As explained to me by all world starter(and accomplished artist) Elud Ortega, the configuration was switched to make his job significantly easier. I guess the position of the original first tee doesn't make it easy for the staff to keep control of who's teeing off and who's making the turn. While I have no doubt that this is true, I don't know to what magnitude the imposition is to the starter. And I am probably one of just a few who appreciate how that small change makes the course significantly different. Perhaps when the group arrives, the morning round can start on ten with a turn time around 9 0'clock and then the afternoon round can be played "normally" and people can comment on this very subject. I know Alan is lurking and I hope he can accomidate Ran and friends.
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I'm in the middle of a semi-boycott of the airline industry. I only fly if I have no alternative.
(http://www.familyrv.com/picts/winn-a-button.jpg)
Anyone from Northern California interested in renting one of those giant RVs and making the drive from NorCal? We could probably even pick up some of our new teammates from the lower half of the state.
It could be a party all the way down, a party in New Mexico and a party all the way back.
Dan King
If merely "feeling good" could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely valid human experience.
--William James
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Hiya Dan!
Oh would that I had the time and freedom to do such a rolling cocktail party... it sounds like one hell of an idea... but if I do this at all, it's gonna have to be a quick fly in, fly out. Such are the realities of life... oh well.
TH
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Dan, do they still have those busses that run to Baja that are painted like watermelons and daisy prints and such? In that case, I'd consider flying to Nor Cal just to get on the bus, gus. 8) 8)
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Dan, sounds like a great idea. The only problem is I don't think anybody here would want to be the designated driver and we'd just sit there and booze up. I could go down to Springfield and pick up the "Further" bus from the Ken Kesey estate. Neil Cassidy could drive then. Long live the Pranksters!
Have you ever read "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" by Tom Wolfe?
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My Man Slag writes:
Dan, sounds like a great idea. The only problem is I don't think anybody here would want to be the designated driver and we'd just sit there and booze up.
We need Ed Getka to go along. Not just because he doesn't drink, but also because he's a great guy to have along for the road trip.
I could go down to Springfield and pick up the "Further" bus from the Ken Kesey estate.
How much trouble you think it would be to hook a satellite dish and big screen TV to it? I think my ideas of luxury have changed a lot since way back when.
Neil Cassidy could drive then. Long live the Pranksters!
Neil Cassidy might be difficult to get, but maybe we could get his bus drivin' cousin, David.
Have you ever read "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" by Tom Wolfe?
Just recently re-read it. It's gotten more dated than some of the other books of that era.
RJ Daley writes:
Dan, do they still have those busses that run to Baja that are painted like watermelons and daisy prints and such? In that case, I'd consider flying to Nor Cal just to get on the bus, gus.
I'll need to look into that, but just like Further, the problem might be in getting the dish to work.
Might have been born to be wild, but I'm leaning toward not exploding into space.
Dan King
You just slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don't need to be coy, Roy
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free
--Paul Simon
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Dave Silk- Boston (Black Rock)
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Dan,
I just saw your post and the moving hotel sounds good to me. Since I don't drink I have no problem handling the driving. I was sort of thinking of doing an extended trip though and adding some other courses like Texas Tech, Don M's, Apache Stronghold, and Talking Stick. So let me know what you plan on doing and we can figure out some sort of itinerary. I was hoping you would be coming to this gathering. We can even pick up some SoCal guys on the way if we still have space.
This is sounding more fun every day. 8)
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It would seem that a VW Van would be more in touch with the nocal team. I will pop in "trucken" for the ride home tonight in your honor.
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How's the van coming?